Retford: Extra Care scheme gets go-ahead on former school site

Plans to build an Extra Care housing community in Retford has been given the go-ahead by councillors despite concerns by neighbours.

Bassetlaw Council’s planning committee gave approval for the development of 63 apartments and 30 bungalows on the former Elizabethan High School site last week.

Notts County Council will be investing £2 million in the scheme which will also benefit from a £10.7 million investment from the consortium made up of social developers Ashley House Plc and Kier Construction.

The development will be built around a proposed bowling green and includes a cafe, hairdressing salon, fitness room, library and IT studio.

Following a public consultation, amendments were made to the original design including lowering the apartment block by one storey and ensuring minimal disruption to the traffic flow on Leafield.

A resident, who lives nearby and attended the planning meeting, raised concerns about an increase in traffic, parking issues and the size and design of the development.

It is hoped work will start on site later this year and take around 18 months to complete.

Coun Muriel Weisz, chairman of Notts County Council’s adult social and care committee, said: “It’s fantastic news that we are one step closer to having an Extra Care scheme in the Retford area. The council is committed to increasing choice for older people needing care and support who do not want to go down the route of traditional residential care.”

Extra Care is an extension to traditional supported housing where older people can live as independently with the reassurance that care staff are on-site for 24-hours a day.